Just wanted to say how in love I am with barbell training.

I'm 31, and when I think I spent my entire teens fooling around with aerobics (every day!) and running and wasting so much time.

It didn't help that my PE teachers were bullies, so I grew up hating sport and fitness, seeing it as some penance for liking food.

As a woman maybe, the world of strength training is hidden. Particularly as I grew up in a traditional society where for a woman to lift weights would be frowned upon. My mum is still not convinced by my new pursuit, first worrying that I'll break my back or something then worrying that I'll look like a man etc.

I feel like I've finally found my passion in powerlifting and a part of me is annoyed I didn't know about it sooner!